Category: Omega Speedmaster Replica

It is no secret that besides writing about watches for fratellowatches.com, I also love to collect Cheap Replica Watches — especially iconic watches like the Rolex GMT-Master, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Rolex Datejust and, of course, the Omega Speedmaster Professional. I own several of the last model. Ever since I bought my first Speedmaster I have been hooked on this watch. Not only do I love the design of this chronograph; I also like its connection to the Apollo space program.

As you know, Omega has produced quite a few limited editions based on the original Omega Speedmaster Replica Watches. Some like these limited editions, others don’t. However, the fact is that some of these limited editions do appreciate in market value quite well after a few years. One of these models is the Omega Speedmaster Professional “Snoopy Award.” My professional career started around the time this model was introduced, so it was only a lack of funds that prevented me from buying Speedmaster Snoopy back then. Ever since, I have longed for one, but also noticed that over the years they became increasingly difficult to find, at least for a reasonable price. Recently, I decided to go for it despite the high price. I justified the purchase by telling myself that the longer I’d wait, the more expensive it would get, anyway, right? You can read about the efforts I made to obtain the Speedmaster Snoopy here. After showing my precious new Cheap Omega Replica with a Snoopy to some people, a number of them asked why I wanted a cartoon character on the dial of my watch. I was already aware that many people had this perception of the Speedmaster with the Snoopy dial, also given the fact that it was initially sold to a lot of women.

If you are a Omega Replica aficionado as well, and you know a thing or two about the Apollo missions, you probably are already familiar with the use of Snoopy by NASA. In 1968, NASA chose the famous beagle as an icon to act as a sort of “watchdog” over its missions. In the same year, NASA decided to use a sterling silver Snoopy pin as a sign of appreciation to NASA employees and contractors together with a commendation letter and a signed framed Snoopy certificate. Each of the sterling silver Snoopy label pins has been flown during a NASA mission. Cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, who created the “Peanuts” comic strip was a supporter of the NASA Apollo missions and agreed to let them use “Snoopy the astronaut” at no cost and even drew the Snoopy figure for the sterling silver label pin.

After fixes were made and all systems worked again, the crew started their journey to Earth. This is the really quick version of the story of course; the entire adventure is depicted in the 1995 movie, Apollo 13, starringTom Hanks. Now comes the part where the Speedmaster played an important role. The Apollo 13 crew needed the Omega Replica Watches, first to time ignition of the rockets to shorten the estimated length of the return to Earth, and secondly, to time the ignition of the rockets to decrease speed and raise the flight path angle for re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. This second operation was crucial, since any mistake in the timing could have led to an incorrect entry angle and, as a result, potential disaster for the crew. As explained before, NASA used the Snoopy award for special contributions and outstanding efforts from both NASA personnel and contractors. On October 5th, 1970, NASA gave the Omega Replica a Snoopy award to acknowledge the crucial role the watch played during the Apollo 13 mission.

Based on the brand’s other limited editions, I would have expected such a release on a 30th or perhaps 35th anniversary rather than a 33rd. Despite the relative high number of Snoopy Speedmasters out there, you’ll have to search to find one at a decent price. Also, beware of Snoopy Speedmasters that had the dial and caseback fitted later on. Always make sure you buy a Speedmaster Snoopy with the original anthracite box, certificate of authenticity. There should also be a copy of the original Snoopy appreciation certificate with the Cheap Replica Watches.

So now you know. When there is a Snoopy on an Omega Speedmaster dial, it actually means something. In the end, of course, one need not be versed in all this history to purchase and appreciate this watch; one may just be a fan of Snoopy. A review of the Omega Replica Watches can be found here. More information about Omega Speedmasters in general can be found on the Speedy Tuesday page on Fratello Watches.

Before Omega’s legendary Speedmaster watch was worn by astronauts on the moon — and thus forever linked to space exploration and assigned the nickname “Moonwatch” — it was much more closely associated with the decidedly earthbound activity of automobile racing. In fact, when Omega introduced the first Speedmaster in 1957, it designed the watch’s dial to resemble the dashboard of that era’s Italian sports cars. Motorsports and rally drivers prized the Omega Replica Speedmaster for its chronograph capability and for the fact that it was the first chronograph watch that positioned its tachymeter scale on the bezel rather than the dial.

The Omega Speedmaster Replica Watches Racing, on the market since 2012, is a return to the brand’s automotive roots. Its got a 40-mm steel case with a matte black tachymeter ring, made of aluminum, on the bezel. The type on the tachymeter scale is in either gray or gray/yellow or gray/red combos. Omega Replica Watches familiar seahorse emblem is featured on the solid steel caseback.

The chronograph subdials, also available in several color schemes, sport a triangular Clous de Paris pattern. The 30-minute counter is at 3 o’clock; the 12-hour counter is at 6 o’clock; and the small seconds display is at 9 o’clock. There is also a date window at the 6 o’clock position; Cheap Omega Replica includes a date corrector tool with each watch. The watch comes on a steel bracelet or a black rubber strap with a distinctive embossed pattern that bring to mind the treads of a race car’s tires — just another way the Swiss brand is putting the “speed” back in its Speedmaster.

Movement: Omega Caliber 3330, automatic, column-wheel chronograph; officially certified chronometer; 31 jewels; 28,800 vph; co-axial escapement with 3 levels; silicon “si 14” balance spring on Omega free sprung-balance; Nivachoc shock absorber; 52-hour power reserve
Functions: Central hours and minutes; small seconds at 9 o’clock; date at 6 o’clock; chronograph with central seconds hand, 30-minute subdial at 3 o’clock, 12-hour subdial at 6 o’clock
Case: stainless steel with polished and brushed finishes; diameter = 40 mm; thickness = 15.05 mm; stainless steel bezel with matte black aluminium tachymeter ring with grey/yellow scaling; polished crown and pushers; embossed Omega logo on crown; domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with nonreflective treatment on both sides; screw-down caseback stamped with seahorse medallion; water-resistant to 100 meters; on rubber strap or patented screw-and-pin steel bracelet with foldover clasp
Dial and hands: Vertically brushed main dial in gray; triangular-Clou de Paris-textured subdials in black; yellow touch hour markers; transferred indices with Super-Luminova; blackened, rhodium-plated or varnished white hour, minute and seconds hands; blackened, rhodium-plated, varnished yellow or white chronograph hands